The story is about Phileas Fogg (David Niven), a mysteriously wealthy Englishman of compulsively punctual habits who wages a staggering sum that he can complete a journey around the world in 80 days -- quite a feat for 1872. With his somewhat seedy gentleman's gentleman Passepartout (Cantinflas), Fogg sets off on his journey, unaware that Scotland Yard suspects him of masterminding a recent robbery of the Bank of England. Fueled by the bumbling and thick-headed Inspector Fixx (portrayed by Robert Newton, who died very shortly after this film was completed), this subplot helps move the action along very nicely.